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Grow Up Vancouver sets the tone for 2026 cannabis

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3 months ago

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The start of this cannabis year was marked by the latest edition of the Grow Up conference in Vancouver, which seems to be setting the tone for what to expect from the industry in 2026. Exhibitors and attendees reported that the industry is becoming more measured, operationally focused, and increasingly aware that long-term viability depends on execution rather than wishful thinking. “Grow Up was a very positive experience, with direct and practical conversations with growers and partners. The event created a space for meaningful discussions, focused on current market realities and field-level challenges,” said the BioFloral team.

For Cannatrol, the show highlighted how it has become a post-harvest strategy. “In Grow Up 2026, Cannatrol brings technology that works where few solutions exist, setting new standards for the industry,” said David Sandelman, chief technology officer and company founder. Appearing at the event, along with new Canadian distribution partner Quality Horticulture, Cannatrol used the conference to highlight a once-left-behind process as an increasingly crucial part of every cannabis operation. “We’re here to show conference attendees why your post-harvest system matters even more than the growing process.”

Since cannabis was regulated, many growers have focused more on maximizing fat space, relegating drying, curing and all that to a small part of their operation. So it seems that the industry is indicating that the sector is maturing, and the year 2026 is crucial to show this. “Cannatrol sees 2026 as a new phase of maturity for the cannabis industry driven by potential rescheduling and more disciplined business practices focused on operational efficiency.” In such an environment, he added, “quality and consistency are no longer differentiators, but critical drivers for producing top-notch craftsmanship and achieving successful business growth.”

The very tone of the event was in favor of this assessment. David described Grow Up as “a very positive experience, with direct and practical conversations with growers and partners”, noting that “the event created a space for meaningful discussions based on market realities and field-level challenges”. He also saw a clear change in behavior among producers. The same sentiment is echoed by the BioFloral team, who noticed that attendees were more interested in practical solutions than the latest shiny toy. “We’ve noticed an increasing focus on efficiency, consistency and long-term profitability. Growers seem less driven by novelty and more interested in stable, proven solutions.”

Exhibitors for the first time, such as the Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association, are joining the world of cannabis with a new benchmark in organic cannabis cultivation. “We really enjoyed being part of the Grow Up show this year. We received a great response from the attendees, with many expressing an interest in learning more about the organic certification of cannabis. As this was our first time attending the conference, we were very pleased with the diversity of industry players in attendance. It was particularly interesting to learn more about the research that some growers are doing into the medical use of cannabis.

Similar pragmatism emerged from brand-focused exhibitors. The Pure Sunfarms and Super Toast teams reported that Grow Up Vancouver provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen retail relationships and strengthen their presence in British Columbia. “Grow Up Vancouver was a strong opportunity to share more about our evolving portfolio, strengthen connections with retail partners and their teams, and highlight our deep connection to British Columbia as our home market,” the company said, adding that “the quality of the conversations was high and it was gratifying to see such thoughtful engagement across the industry.”

From the point of view of the market, retailers appear to be more and more selective. “One of the most noticeable changes is the continued push behind convenience-driven categories,” the team noted. “There is a strong demand for products that are easy to understand, easy to use and fit seamlessly into consumer routines, especially formats that prioritize consistency, quality and accessibility.”

For other attendees, Grow Up Vancouver also reinforced a sense of confidence in an industry that continues to grow despite many obstacles. “Grow Up Vancouver was the perfect start to 2026,” says Atiyyah Ferouz, founder of AgCann Consultancy. “There was a renewed energy and positivity that was palpable throughout the event.” This optimism was linked to a growing strategic awareness, especially regarding market diversification. “A big trend, which has been increasing year by year, is the focus on the export market,” continued Atiyyah. “We’ve spoken to a number of producers who have included export readiness as a key part of their 2026 strategy. In many of the conversations we had, producers were still keen to supply the Canadian market, but wanted to make sure their sales weren’t completely dependent on a single market.”

This vision is shaped by an industry that, despite pressure, is not standing still.” The Canadian cannabis industry is in a strong position today,” stated the GrowerIQ team. “Producers continue to benefit from expanded international legalization, global underproduction and the gradual reduction of the gray market. The continued maturation of Canadian and international supply chains has opened up access to markets that were previously difficult for medium and smaller producers to tap into.”

At the same time, challenges remain. “Regulatory complexity, taxation and access to capital continue to impact the industry,” they continued. “Competition from low-cost jurisdictions and domestic producers unloading excess product at discounted prices is keeping prices under pressure. Individual producers continue to face business-specific challenges, while the rapid pace of change in the sector increases these pressures. Those who cannot adapt quickly risk being left behind in this fast-moving market.”

Despite the headwinds, there is cautious confidence. “2026 has the potential to be another challenging but successful year for the Canadian cannabis industry,” they concluded. The seed itself seems to be evolving along with the sector. “Grow Up continues to raise the bar every year,” said the GrowerIQ team. “Grow Up has truly established itself as Canada’s premier cannabis event.”

Overall, the Grow Up conference in Vancouver showed an industry that is recalibrating itself around consistency, efficiency and strategic resilience. Long (?) gone are the days of big announcements and earth-shattering innovations. The sector is preparing for its next tougher phase.

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Klasmann-Deilmann announces management changes

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14 hours ago

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April 29, 2026

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After fifteen years of successful cooperation, managing director Moritz Böcking and the shareholders of Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH have mutually agreed to part ways. As of May 1, 2026, Moritz Böcking will hand over the position of managing director to Jan Astrup, who served as the company’s CEO in 2021/2022. Jan Astrup and Damian Ikemann will form the Board of Directors of the Klasmann-Deilmann Group from now on.

© Klasmann-Deilmann Benelux

Klasmann-Deilmann thanks Moritz Böcking for his cooperation and the progress achieved in the transformation of the Klasmann-Deilmann Group. Moritz Böcking expanded Klasmann-Deilmann beyond the growing media business into new areas of commercial horticulture and promoted innovation and digitalization within the company. In addition, its achievements include the expansion of resources derived from renewable raw materials, as well as the acquisition of a subsidiary in Australia and production facilities in France and Canada, which operate in cooperation with external partners. He also significantly advanced Klasmann-Deilmann’s positioning as a global pioneer of sustainable development in the growing media industry, thereby making a decisive contribution to the company’s economic growth.

With Jan Astrup, Klasmann-Deilmann is getting an internationally experienced manager who has proven himself in the company and has extensive experience in raw materials, production, process optimization and technology. With the new CEO, raw materials and technology-driven areas for the substrate industry are now increasingly important at senior management level. Jan Astrup will strengthen the core commercial horticulture business and help develop the company for the future.

For more information:
Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH
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Congressional Amendments To Delay Or Speed Up Federal Hemp THC Product Ban Won’t Get Votes

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14 hours ago

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April 29, 2026

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Congressional amendments to both delaying the scheduled federal recriminalization of hemp THC products for another year or to speed up implementation will not be considered on the House floor this week.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) introduced the delay proposal as an amendment to the Farm Bill, while Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) introduced an expedited approach. Neither will move forward, however, with Comer withdrawing his measure and the House Rules Committee failing to vote on Miller’s.

Hemp derivatives containing less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC by weight of the drug were made federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill signed by President Donald Trump in his first term. But late last year, Trump signed new legislation containing provisions that will redefine hemp so that only products with a total of 0.4 milligrams of THC per container will be legal starting Nov. 12.

Comer’s amendment, sponsored by Reps. Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Morgan Griffith (R-VA), would have delayed the ban until November 2027.

According to Miller’s proposal, however, the ban will begin the day the new Farm Bill takes effect. However, it is unclear based on progress in Congress whether the large-scale farming legislation will actually become law, and the legislation could not pass until after the current recriminalization date.

Comer told the panel at Monday’s meeting that his amendment would “protect American farmers” and “help the hemp industry and the thousands of jobs that use and rely on these products.”

“It is clear that Congress needs more time to pass legislation that protects jobs, eliminates bad actors, standardizes labeling and requires third-party testing,” he said. “My amendment would give Congress another year, until November 2027, to develop this solution.”

It is not clear why he decided to remove it from the annex to the proposal Farm BillAlso known as the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, or HR 7567.




Griffith, a member of the Rules Committee who sponsored Comer’s amendment, noted that there are “a lot of hemp products from overseas that don’t have third-party testing” on the market, “frankly all kinds of junk.”

He said the real solution is for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the products, citing a separate bill he has introduced on the issue, but argued that “we have to have time to adjust,” which he said would provide the delay amendment.

Meanwhile, Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) also introduced an amendment to the bill that, according to the sponsor’s summary, “changes the definition of hemp to protect the legal hemp market, creating a regulatory framework that protects children, bans synthetics, and ensures that products on the market are of American origin.”

The congressman later withdrew the proposal for undisclosed reasons.

However, he recently received a letter White House officials commented on pending legislation to create a regulatory framework for hemp.

Last week, Vince Haley, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, and James Braid, assistant to the president for legislative affairs, sent hemp policy suggestions to Barr, who is helping lead efforts to establish regulations for the plant as an alternative to prohibition.

“We appreciate your work to advance policy,” the executive order Trump signed in December, which included provisions to protect Americans’ access to CBD products, the staff wrote in a letter to Congress.

“We are submitting draft legislation and comments to your account to address the final statutory definition of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to ensure that Americans have access to adequate full-spectrum CBD products while maintaining Congress’ intent to limit the sale of products that pose serious health risks,” White House officials said, according to a social media screencast. “We are open to discussion and further technical assistance.”

The annex to the administration’s proposed legislative text has not been released publicly, and the White House and Barr’s office did not immediately respond to Marihuana Moment’s request for more details.

It’s not clear from the text of the letter whether the White House was proactively sending legislative proposals to the lawmaker or whether they were responding to something sent by his office, though two cannabis industry sources suggested to Marihuana Moment that Barr was sending the language to the administration, and then providing technical feedback.

Trump this week It inspired lawmakers in Congress to take action to change the currently planned hemp banand suggested that this threatens to federally recriminalize full-spectrum CBD products.

“I’m calling on Congress to update the Act so Americans can continue to have access to the full-spectrum CBD products they trust and support, while maintaining Congress’ intent to restrict the sale of products that pose health risks,” the president said in a Truth Social message Thursday, the same day his administration announced it is moving forward to re-regulate marijuana.

“We need to do this RIGHT and FAST, especially for those who have found CBD to help them,” he said. “Also, I’m told it will help our BIG FARMERS that we love and will always be around.”

Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) had it introduced the hemp ban delay amendment before the House Agriculture Committee when it took up the Farm Bill last month, but the president of that panel determined that the proposal was not in line with the legislation.

The Farm Bill passed by the previous committee includes provisions to help the hemp industry and farmers who grow cannabis for industrial purposes, such as fiber and grain. For example, the legislation would amend statutes related to states and tribes developing regulatory plans for industrial hemp production, including policies on testing, sampling, background checks and record keeping.

Other bipartisan hemp reform bills are pending in Congress.

This month, for example, it was introduced by Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA). The Hemp Safety Enforcement Act, which would give states the option of federal recriminalization of THC hemp products. it will be established this year.

Ernst withdrew his name, however, as a sponsor of the legislation. His office did not respond to Marihuana Moment’s request for clarification on the move.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

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The US Department of Agriculture published this month shows that US farmers grow $3 billion in hemp crops by 2025— 64% increase compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, this month the Trump administration launched a new initiative Cover up to $500 of hemp-derived products annually for eligible Medicare patients. The program being implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) focuses largely on CBD, but also allows a certain amount of THC in products.

Anti-marijuana organizations filed a lawsuit against the Medicare hemp coverage policyand Health and Human Services attorneys. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Director Mehmet Oz recently He submitted a letter requesting the filing of the case.

Meanwhile, the White House Management and Budget Office has held a series of meetings a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) CBD product enforcement policy.

The FDA also issued guidance making it clear that it does not intend to interfere Establish a Medicare coverage plan for hemp-derived products.

CMS finalized a rule that will be adopted separately Coverage of certain hemp products, primarily as specialized health-related benefits, through Medicare Advantage the plans

As hemp products become more popular among consumers, some big brands are trying to get in on the action.

The main retailer Target, for example, is expanding its involvement in the hemp-derived THC beverage market. Last year, the company began a pilot program in 10 stores in Minnesota that sell cannabis drinks. That apparently went well, and now the company has secured licenses from Minnesota regulators to sell lower-potency edible hemp products — including THC drinks — in 72 stores in the state.

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NC lawmakers revisit marijuana policy following reclassification

Published

2 days ago

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April 28, 2026

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North Carolina lawmakers say they’re fueling debate over the state’s marijuana laws — a move by the Trump administration to reclassify it as a less dangerous drug.

Across the country, a set of laws and enforcements regulate marijuana. The drug is illegal under federal law, but dozens of US states have legalized it. And almost all states have legalized medical marijuana prescriptions for certain ailments. North Carolina is among the remaining states to resist any form of legalization. Republican politicians in North Carolina have resisted passing any bills to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, despite public opinion polls showing broad public support for such changes.

Senate President Phil Berger said he expects his chamber to revisit efforts to legalize medical marijuana this week. “We will have a conversation within our caucus if they are interested in whether we do something,” Berger told reporters Tuesday.

The recent actions of Republican President Donald Trump may add a new dimension to these conversations. Trump’s acting attorney general on Thursday signed the drug classification as a less dangerous and less strictly regulated drug than marijuana. Federal law does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use.

Read more at WRAL News










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